I was initially planning on travelling to Perth for the Nationals. But when my wife asked where I was going riding in 2013, I wasn't going to let the opportunity pass. So decided instead to use 3 weeks of leave riding the big climbs in CA, CO and AZ USA!

Will do JMR - if interested - my blog linked below in my signature has posts from my 4 weeks in the French Alps 2011 and those from last September when I snuck in 3 days Northern Italy and rode both sides of the Stelvio and then Mortirolo - Gavia loop the next day. Will be doing more of the same this September in the USA.

Best of luck with your training during the lead up and then Nationals. Which events are you planning on racing?

I have signed up to do the Kilo, sprints and (just for good measure) Points/Scratch races. Kilo is my main focus... I won the gold medal (MMAS1) at states (QLD) and set a new state record in pretty windy conditions. Also did a PB and fastest qualifier (MMAS1/2 combined) flying 200, but I don't have very much match sprinting experience yet.

That's what makes your times even more impressive - outdoors on concrete!

Definitely make sure you get there early and practice. I've heard the shape of the Speed Dome differs slightly to East Coast velo's like Dunc Gray or our DISC - so you wouldn't even as much benefit as you would think travelling to Sydney say for a training session to ride on wood indoors and work out lines...

Confirm the tyres you use are suitable to use on wood too. No coloured tyres for one!

I have ordered a set of Vittoria Pista Evo CS (22mm) tyres that I will put on my race wheels before I head over. I also get there the day before racing starts and there is a practice session on... I will be watching all the locals to see what lines they take for the 200 and have a few test runs.

This week had a few people from city hall, including the President of the Board of Alderman out to talk about our facilities needs. We also had an amazing turn out of racers and spectators. All photos from Ernesto Pachco

Strange sync on this photo. I am the rider on the outside, and cannot figure out what my plan is.

This is right when the combined A/B points race got all strung out.

Some serious team work going to make sure our team got lots of points in this sprint.